Going on now

Wicked play, around the world

Now playing: Wicked. This is the award-winning musical based on Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The book is by Winnie Holzman, the music by Stephen Schwartz, and the show is directed by Joe Mantello. It has done so well, it has spawned the following productions:

Wicked has finished its latest tour of Australia. See http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au/ for future tours or other news. The show is now being performed by amateur theatrical groups around the country, so check for local productions.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz, Australian tour

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz Australian tour. Lord Webber's new production, expanded from the version of the story first seen in the famous movie version, goes Down Under. The following stops have been announced:

Ozmafia anime series, on the Internet

Now playing: Ozmafia anime series, crunchyroll.com. In this Japanese anime series (based on the video game of the same name), Scarlet is a new transfer student at Oz Academy. He doesn't get off to a good start, but the teachers seem nice enough. But what strange secrets are hiding at Oz Academy, and why are they at war with the other academies? Episodes (in Japanese, with English subtitles) are available to view online at http://www.crunchyroll.com/ozmafia for free.

The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz, throughout the United Kingdom

Now playing: The Wizard of Oz, throughout the United Kingdom. Oz is a popular show to perform in the United Kingdom, and there always seems to be a show going on somewhere. For a complete listing of all upcoming productions of The Wizard of Oz in the United Kingdom, see the listings at The List, naturally. They also have listings for performances of The Wiz.

The Origins of Oz documentary, national cablecast and on the Internet

Now playing: The Origins of Oz documentary, Smithsonian Channel cablecast and the Internet. This look at the Oz phenomenon and its influence has the following broadcasts scheduled (all times listed are EDT/PDT):

Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, Internet Streaming

Now playing: Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz cartoon series, Internet Streaming, Boomerang. Boomerang brings you the latest Oz cartoon series, based (very loosely) on the famous 1939 film version. Dorothy is now a princess of Oz and living in the Emerald City with Queen Ozma. But she's still having adventures! The first thirteen episodes are now available. The first one is free, but getting the rest mean subscribing to Boomerang's streaming service. For more information, see the show's website at https://www.boomerang.com/shows/dorothy-franchise/series/dorothy-series.

Lost in Oz series, Internet streaming

Now playing: Lost in Oz, Amazon Video streaming. This new animated series from Amazon tells the story of Dorothy, a modern-day girl, and her dog Toto, who are whisked to Oz when Dorothy opens one of her mother's old journals. To get home, she must find the elements of magic and help restore magic to Oz. Fortunately she has made friends with Ojo the Munchkin and West, a trainee witch, to help her out. To get started, see Amazon's Lost in Oz website at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z89MYTI.

The Wazir of Oz play, Austin, Texas

Now through February 25, 2018: The Wazir of Oz, Austin Scottish Rite Theater, Austin, Texas. In this Bollyweed-tinged retelling of The Wizard of Oz, Drithri, wearing red sandals, and her three companions must see the Wazir who will grant their wishes. But the Wazir has his own agenda! For more information about the show, or to buy tickets, see the show's website at http://scottishritetheater.org/show/wazir-of-oz/.

The Wiz, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Now through March 18, 2018: The Wiz, UnitedHealth Group Stage, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company and Penumbra Theatre are teaming up for this new adaptation of The Wiz in the Twin Cities. For more information, or to order tickets, see the show's website at https://childrenstheatre.org/plays/2017-2018-season/the-wiz.

Now through April 14, 2018: "Landmarks: Maps as Literary Illustrations" exhibit, Houghton Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard's library for rare and antique books is currently showing maps of famous literary locations, including Don Quixote's Spain, the Hundred Acre Wood, and Utopia. One of the items is Professor Wogglebug's map of Oz, as first published as an endpaper for Tik-Tok of Oz in 1914. For more information, see the library's website.

February 2018

The Wizard of Oz movie screening, Movie Tavern locations around the United States

February 18 and 21, 2018: The Wizard of Oz movie screenings, Movie Tavern locations around the United States. The dinner-and-a-movie restaurant/theater chain is presenting the classic 1939 musical film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz as part of its Flashback Cinema series. For more information and participating locations, see https://www.movietavern.com/special-programming/retro-cinema/.

March 2018

The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz viewing parties, El Paso, Texas

March 1 and 2, 2018: the Wiz and The Wizard of Oz viewing parties, Alamo Drafthouse Theater, El Paso, Texas. The legendary Alamo Drafthouse Theater brings a double feature of Oz viewing parties to West Texas. For more information, see the following event pages:

April 2018

Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz, Olathe, Kansas

April 21, 2018: Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz, Olathe, Kansas. If you're going to have a 26.2-mile run in Kansas, you may as well give it an Oz theme! For more information and to register, see the race's website at http://ozrun.org/.

Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York

June 1-3, 2018: Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York. L. Frank Baum's home town honors their favorite son with this annual festival (formerly known as Oz Fest). Events include a children's Oz costume contest; craft and vendor booths; the Munchkin Mile Kids Fun Run; and lots of other contests. For more information, see the festival's website at http://www.oz-stravaganza.com/, or the town's website at http://www.chittenango.org.

Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan

June 8-9, 2018: Wizard of Oz Festival, Ionia, Michigan. This Michigan town holds an annual Wizard of Oz festival. For details and schedule, see the festival's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Wizardofozfestionia.

OzCon International, Pomona, California

August 10-12, 2018: OzCon International, Kellogg Center, Cal Poly Pomona University, Pomona, California. The fifty-fourth edition of the world's longest-running Wizard of Oz convention returns to its roots in southern California, for the first time in the Los Angeles area since the 1960s. It is still early days, so there's not a lot to announce, so keep an eye on the website at http://www.ozconinternational.com/ for details.

September 2018

Autumn at Oz Party, Banner Elk, North Carolina

September (exact dates to be announced), 2018: Autumn at Oz Party, Beech Mountain, Banner Elk, North Carolina. The Wizard of Oz Park on the mountain may no longer be in regular operation, but it's still there, and Oz and park fans get together once a year for a party. For more information, check out http://www.landofoznc.com/autumnatoz.

October 2018

Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas

October (exact date to be announced), 2018: Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas. The town not only has an Oz museum, they put on an annual Oz festival. Authors and other special guests will attend, and there's also admission to the museum. For more details, call the Oz museum at 1-866-458-TOTO, or see the event's website at http://oztoberfest.com/.

OzFest, Liberal, Kansas

October (exact date to be announced), 2018: OzFest, Liberal, Kansas. The home town of the Dorothy's House attraction hosts its annual tribute to Dorothy and Oz. For more information, see the city's events page and the city's website (and be sure to call 1-800-LIBERAL to confirm event and dates).

November/December 2018

The Wizard of Oz, holiday cablecasts

The Wizard of Oz holiday cablecasts, TBS and TNT. The stations' annual holiday season showings of the famous film version are, generally speaking, around Thanksgiving on TBS and Christmas on TNT. Keep checking back for details throughout the season.

December 2019

Wicked movie

December 20, 2019: Wicked movie, theaters around the world. At long last, Universal has announced a release date for the film adaptation of the Tony-winning musical. No cast has been announced yet, but the director will be Stephen Daldry, Marc Platt (one of the show's producers on Broadway) will be a producer, and Winnie Holzman (book) and Stephen Schwartz (composer) will be reproducing their tasks from Broadway. Stay tuned for more details as they become available, including casting!